My Services

Providing care for people’s health and well-being, to help them become whole, to enhance the dignity and integrity of individuals, couples , families, extended families are my guiding principles in consulting and therapeutic work. I have spent the majority of my career helping others to promote healthy living, to cultivate the strengths that people have within themselves, to nourish healthy connections with other people.

For your convenience, I accept the following insurance: Aetna, Coventry, First Health, Beacon (San Joaquin Health Plan), Blue Shield, and Medicare.

How many treatment sessions will be needed?

A national research study found that 50 percent psychotherapy patients had made improvement within eight sessions of therapy, and 75 percent showed improvement after six months of therapy. Of course, showing improvement is not the same as successfully completing treatment.  Most psychologists will tell you that the length of treatment depends upon the nature of the problem, the severity of the problem, and the treatment goals selected.

A vague response like this can be frustrating, but rest assured that most individuals complete psychological treatment within three to six months. When psychologists say that the nature of the problem affects the length of treatment, what they mean is the kind of problem being treated. For example, a serious depression requires more treatment than a mild stress response, or counseling to make a life decision. The severity of the problem also affects treatment length and intensity. (Intensity refers to whether sessions are scheduled twice weekly, weekly, or less frequently. The norm is once per week.) Chronic, long-term depression requires longer and more intense treatment than a reactive depression. Finally, the treatment goals selected affect the length of treatment too. The treatment goal can be “to feel well enough to manage on my own, “or it can be, “to completely change the way I handle my life, including how I make decisions, set goals and relate to people,” or anything in between. The first goal would indicate a desire for short-term treatment to resolve a life crisis, without necessarily examining how the crisis developed or how to avoid similar problems in the future. The second goal would require long-term psychological treatment, most likely in excess of noe year, with sessions scheduled at least weekly.

In general, adjustment problems tend to show significant improvement within eight to 12 sessions of therapy, and usually treatment can be completed within 20 sessions or less. The same is often true of marital adjustment problems, although serious intermediate treatment goals are usually treated within 16 to 30 sessions, but occasionally treatment lasts close to a full year. This is especially true if the problem is ongoing or if additional complications arise. More serious problems, including recurring chronic depression, serious post traumatic stress responses, substance abuse, personality problems, and ongoing stress responses such as those related to caring for a chronically ill family member, often require treatment for one year or longer, depending upon the severity of the symptoms.

“I finally found a psychologist that really helped me. Dr. Carey’s expertise, knowledge, compassion, empathy, resourcefulness, and guidance has helped me tremendously to change, improve, and find meaning to my life. Thank you, Dr. Carey.”

Christine

“I had been searching for a long time to find a psychologist that really knows his stuff. I searched everywhere in the central valley of California. When I met Dr. Carey, I found him to be very professional, a man of integrity, knowledgeable, wisdom, and expertise. Additionally, Dr. Carey provided the best care, accurate diagnosis and developed the best treatment plan that i had ever received from any other practitioner. Dr. Carey helped me to move forward in my life. He gave me the tools to practive so that I can heal and fine meaning to my life.”

Bill

“I received a referral for psychological services to Dr. Carey from my medical doctor. This referral was the greatest thing the has ever happened to me! Dr. Carey understood my dilemma, challenges, and difficult life. Dr. Carey helped me to understand myself better. Dr. Carey gave me hope and helped me to realize my potential and strengths. His support, direction, inspiration, and homework provided gave me insight, and the desire and motivation to work hard, complete assignments and practice the things i was learning in psychotherapy. It changed my life. I attribute my new found life to Dr. Carey.”

Tripti

“I had been suffering from chronic depression for many years. I believed this was the way life was supposed to be. I had tried many psychotropic medications along the way with not so good results. I had been resistant to psychotherapy due to prior past experiences with other doctors and didn’t find that it helped much. Finally, i decided to give it another try. My insurance company referred me to Dr. Carey, licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. Carey practiced psychology for over 15 years and i found him to be highly competent, skillful, well educated, very diverse in his practice, knowledgeable and convinced me that if i was motivated that all chance is possible. He gave me strength to realize my dreams, to move forward in my life, to abandon my negative belief system, and to conquer my depression. Since that time i have been able to manage my depression, to take control of my life, and to leave the depression behind. I never knew that depression was highly treatable. Thank you Dr. Carey.”

Mariah